5 Games to Tire Out Your Dog Indoors (No Walk Needed)
By BEANS Team · Published
TL;DR
You can tire a dog out indoors by working their brain. Five easy games are a sniff mat, a toilet roll puzzle, a towel burrito, a lick mat or frozen stuffed toy, and find it. Supervise cardboard and towel games, and count treats as part of the day's food.
- Sniffing and problem-solving tire a dog's brain as much as exercise tires their legs
- Five games: sniff mat, toilet roll, towel burrito, lick mat, find it
- Supervise cardboard and towels and never use xylitol-containing spreads
- Treats should stay under 10 percent of daily calories
No walk today? Rain, haze, a broken lift or a long work day can all keep you indoors. The good news is that a dog's brain tires them out as much as their legs. Here are five games you can make tonight with things you already have.
How do I tire my dog out without a walk?
Give their brain work. Sniffing and solving problems is hard work for a dog, and the AKC says a cognitive workout burns off excess energy, provides entertainment and prevents problem behaviour.
The ASPCA says sniffing "can be stimulating and calming" and that food puzzles provide mental stimulation and slow down eating. So the plan is simple: hide food, make your dog work for it, and keep it safe.
Want to watch all five games in 92 seconds?
We made a short film with a countdown from five to one. Watch it first for the how-to, then use the notes below for safety and Singapore tips.
What are the five best indoor games for dogs?
The five games are a sniff mat, a toilet roll puzzle, a towel burrito, a lick mat or frozen stuffed toy, and "find it". They all use treats or kibble and about two minutes of setup.
| # | Game | What you need | Why it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Sniff mat | Fleece strips or a bath mat, kibble | Dogs slow down and sniff |
| 4 | Toilet roll | Empty roll, a few treats | They work it open |
| 3 | Towel burrito | A tea towel, treats | They unroll it, one treat at a time |
| 2 | Lick mat or stuffed toy | Lick mat or rubber toy, a safe spread | Licking is soothing and takes ages |
| 1 | Find it | A treat, a few rooms | Pure nose work |
Number 5: How do I make a sniff mat?
Scatter kibble in it, and they have to slow down and sniff. The ASPCA suggests a high-pile bathroom mat, or fleece strips tied to a rubber mat, with kibble hidden throughout.
The AKC has a no-sew version: place treats in the middle of a tea towel, fold it over and tie a loose knot, so your dog has to sniff for the treats and work out how to untie it. Sniffing calms them, which makes it a good evening game.
Number 4: How do I make a toilet roll puzzle?
Drop in a few treats and fold the ends in. They have to work it open. The ASPCA suggests folding one end of a toilet paper or paper towel roll, adding treats, then folding the other end.
The AKC adds that your dog has to keep the tube from rolling away while licking or tearing at it, and that freezing a filled tube makes it last longer. Cardboard is destructible, so the AKC says to make sure your dog doesn't eat the bits that fall off, and to use these under supervision.
Number 3: How do I make a towel burrito?
Lay treats on a towel and roll it up. They unroll it, one treat at a time. The AKC's tea towel version folds the towel over the treats and ties a loose knot. For more challenge, tie several towels in a row with treats in each.
It is easy for you to make, but not easy for your dog to undo. Start loose, and tighten the roll as your dog gets better.
Number 2: How do I use a lick mat or stuffed toy?
Spread something on a lick mat, or stuff a rubber toy and freeze it. Licking is soothing, and it takes ages. Oregon Humane says licking and chewing are soothing activities for dogs.
Its tips: start with easy-to-spread fillings, freeze once your dog empties the soft version every time, and layer for a bigger challenge. The safety notes matter. Supervise the first few times with any new toy, and avoid peanut butter that contains xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Rich fillings add calories, so go light.
Number 1: How do I play "find it"?
Ask them to wait and hide a treat. Then say "find it!" Start easy, then try the next room. The ASPCA describes it the same way: say "find it" and toss a treat near your dog, then make it harder over time by hiding treats for your dog to find.
The ASPCA stresses that it is incredibly important to let your dog use their nose, indoors or on walks. In a small flat, a few rooms is plenty. Change the hiding places so it stays interesting.
How do I keep these games safe?
Stay close for the cardboard and towel games, and take them away if your dog starts chewing them up. The ASPCA says to be closely and actively supervising while DIY items are accessible, and to remove an item immediately if your dog tries to swallow it.
And count the treats in their food for the day. WSAVA says treats should make up less than 10 percent of a dog's daily calorie intake, and that they should be an appropriate size and shape to reduce choking risk. Break treats into small pieces so you can play for longer.
Which dogs should skip some of these games?
Dogs on a food trial, dogs on a weight plan and dogs who chew everything need a modified version. Check with your vet if any of these apply.
- Food trial for a suspected allergy. VCA warns that treats, chews and flavoured items can disrupt the trial, so use only the trial food as your game rewards. See Food Allergy in Dogs.
- Weight plan. Use part of their daily kibble for the sniff mat and find it, rather than extra treats. WSAVA's guidance is that treats should stay under 10 percent of daily calories.
- Chewers and puppies. Skip the cardboard and towel games unless you can watch every second. The AKC notes cardboard dispensers are destructible and meant for supervised use.
- Fast eaters. Good news: the ASPCA says food puzzles help slow down your dog's eating, so a sniff mat is a great way to serve dinner.
Kangaroo Freeze-Dried Pet Treats (SGD $19.90): Pure kangaroo. Nothing else. A novel protein for itchy, sensitive dogs and high-value training.
Single-ingredient freeze-dried treats are easy to break into game-sized pieces. Kangaroo is a novel protein that makes a strong high-value reward for training and games. Count the pieces as part of the day's food.
What about Singapore's weather?
You will use these games more here than you think. Midday sun is hot, thunderstorms arrive fast, and haze can close walks completely. The AKC says you cannot increase your dog's ability to sweat, but you can manage their environment and activity level, for example by exercising in cooler parts of the day.
On hot or hazy days, indoor games let you tire your dog out safely. For the haze specifically, see our haze safety guide for dogs.
Bottom line
Add a little tug and a few minutes of training, and that's a full day's work. A tired dog is a happy dog. Pick one or two of the five games, set them up before you sit down for the evening, and keep an eye on your dog while they play.
What's your dog's favourite game at home? Tell us on our socials. For more on single-ingredient rewards, browse our treats for sensitive stomachs or read the best treats for dogs with sensitive stomachs guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can mental exercise tire a dog out?
Yes. The AKC says a cognitive workout burns off excess energy, provides entertainment and prevents problem behaviour, and the ASPCA adds that sniffing can be both stimulating and calming. It will not replace all physical exercise, but it helps on days without a walk.
How do I make a sniff mat at home?
Use a high-pile bathroom mat, or tie fleece strips to a rubber mat, then hide kibble throughout, as the ASPCA suggests. A tea towel folded over treats and tied in a loose knot also works, as described by the AKC.
What can I put in a frozen stuffed toy?
Oregon Humane suggests easy-to-spread fillings such as cream cheese, cottage cheese, canned pumpkin or wet dog food, then freezing overnight. Avoid peanut butter that contains xylitol, which is toxic to dogs, and remember rich fillings add calories. Start with a soft filling and freeze it once your dog empties it every time.
How many treats can I use in these games?
WSAVA says treats should make up less than 10 percent of a dog's daily calorie intake. Break treats into small pieces, use part of the daily kibble, and ask your vet what amount suits your dog. Treats work best in tiny pieces.
Are cardboard puzzle toys safe for dogs?
Only with supervision. The AKC says cardboard dispensers are destructible, so make sure your dog does not eat the bits that fall off. The ASPCA says to remove DIY items immediately if your dog tries to swallow them. Stay close the whole time.
Sources
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet has ongoing symptoms, see your vet.